Ask the Author: Max Adams
Answered Questions (11)
Max Adams
Dear Chris, I am sorry that you are confused, but it's easily solved. The note numbers are not page references, but endnotes, referring to numbered notes in the text. So, when you see a note number in the text - page 142 for example (of the paperback), you will find mention of LiDAR, and a superscript number 39; the note of what it means is on p.437 (note 39). I hope that explains. In retrospect, we should have provided an index; that's my fault: I just wanted it to be read as a complete flow. But anyway, I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Max Adams
Hi Jan,
sorry to hear you can't make it. I'm doing something similar on Thursday 24th November at the Books on Tyne festival in Newcastle (see Newcastle Library website for details); although that will have more to do with my novel The Ambulist, with a little less on the Giants. Better than nothing....?
sorry to hear you can't make it. I'm doing something similar on Thursday 24th November at the Books on Tyne festival in Newcastle (see Newcastle Library website for details); although that will have more to do with my novel The Ambulist, with a little less on the Giants. Better than nothing....?
Max Adams
Hi Colin,
thanks for your question. No, I still haven't made it to Bradwell: I'm deep into a portrait of Britain in the Viking Age, due out next year, and it's swallowed much of my travel time this year. Thanks for that tip on Afordir Cymru; I dare say I'll find I got a few things wrong!
thanks for your question. No, I still haven't made it to Bradwell: I'm deep into a portrait of Britain in the Viking Age, due out next year, and it's swallowed much of my travel time this year. Thanks for that tip on Afordir Cymru; I dare say I'll find I got a few things wrong!
Max Adams
Dear Adrian, how very nice to hear from you. I remember our meeting well; and Warwick often spoke about you. I had a few visits to Holland, both then and afterwards when they lived in Haarlem. Oddly enough, I had a Dutch partner for many years, so my son Jack, now 20, is half Nederlands. I lived in Rotterdam for a little while and liked it immensely. Verena is still going; she has been very poorly in recent years but she's as tough as old boots and living in North London; I can let you have her address if you'd like to get in touch. I wonder if you knew Paul Cordsen, Wariwck's oldest friend? He and his partner Beth are still going, more or less strong, and I get down to see them every year when I can.
Warwick was incredibly supportive of my late-starting writing career. He died just as I was starting my novel, The Ambulist, in 2010; a great shame, because he was a superb editor, as you know. If you are ever in Northumberland it would be great to meet. I am often in Ireland, but usually confined to Inishowen in Donegal, where I run a small archaeological project. I'm so glad you like the tree book. I'll write more on trees one of these days, but I'm dealing with Vikings at the moment. I have a small tree plantation near where I live and wait, impatiently, for them to grow... All best wishes you and Gerda.
Warwick was incredibly supportive of my late-starting writing career. He died just as I was starting my novel, The Ambulist, in 2010; a great shame, because he was a superb editor, as you know. If you are ever in Northumberland it would be great to meet. I am often in Ireland, but usually confined to Inishowen in Donegal, where I run a small archaeological project. I'm so glad you like the tree book. I'll write more on trees one of these days, but I'm dealing with Vikings at the moment. I have a small tree plantation near where I live and wait, impatiently, for them to grow... All best wishes you and Gerda.
Max Adams
Tricky to say, when I have to read so many for work; but I very often go back to Charles Thomas's Early Christian Archaeology of North Britain - a bible; and Bede, of course; re-read many times and still fresh. Terry Coleman's biography of Nelson is the best; and I think John Marsden's Northanhymbre Saga is a wonderful read. For a history of us, as a species, Bronowski every time: The Ascent of Man. And Oliver Rackham for trees and landscapes..
Max Adams
What's writer's block?
Max Adams
Sharing one's passion with more people than will fit in a room.
Max Adams
Write! Start at the top left hand corner of a page and keep going. Practice is as important in writing as in any other art or craft. After a million words or so you tend to get better at it. And it's never too late.
Max Adams
I have just finished editing a book called The Wisdom of Trees, due out in October. It's a miscellany of personal thoughts and experiences as a woodsman and historian of trees, marvelling at their brilliance. I'm now working on a book about Dark Age landscapes, which involves travelling around Britain delving into all sorts of nooks and crannies - really exciting!
Max Adams
I'm not sure it requires inspiration: writing is an itch that must be scratched until the words begin to flow.
Max Adams
I have always thought King Oswald a fascinating character - it's a project I have been planning for years. The question was: could anyone write a biography of such an obscure figure?
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